Trade deal priority for small businesses

Continued access to EU markets is top priority for smaller businesses, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Out of 1,758 members surveyed, 63% regarded the EU market as an important trade destination.

58% said that trading in the EU single market is easier than trading with non-EU markets.

Further findings:

53% of importers and 45% of exporters find trading with the single market is cheaper than with non-EU markets

20% exclusively trade with the EU

27% of exporting small firms in Scotland would be discouraged from trading with the EU if tariffs were introduced.

Andy Willox, Scottish policy convenor at FSB, said:

“FSB is calling on the UK government to secure the easiest, and least costly, access to the EU single market in the Brexit negotiations. Lots of first-time exporters regard EU markets as a training ground and a lower-risk first step to realising their global ambitions.”